Program of Study

Students entering the Human Sciences Ph.D. program without an M.A. in a field directly related to the Human Sciences curriculum or in the student’s proposed field of concentration, generally take 16-20 courses (including independent studies) before moving on to their dissertation credits. Of these, most students divide their course work between 1) meeting their core interdisciplinary requirements and preparing for their core comp exam, and 2) specializing in a discipline (e.g., Anthropology or English or Philosophy), including preparation for a field exam in that discipline.

Advising

All students are initially advised by the program director and associate director, who work with them to shape their program of study. By the end of their first year, students choose a primary advisor and an advisory committee; these advisors are generally members of the Human Sciences Executive Committee whose areas of specialization mesh with the student's disciplinary focus and intellectual interests.

The overall program requirements and expectations are outlined in the Student Handbook. In that handbook, all of the course requirements, expectations for moving through the program, the procedures for taking exams, and other program issues are explained in detail. The Student Handbook is available upon request.